COVID-19 Guide & Resources

- updated May 20, 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact economies, up-to-date information and data are critical to fully understand the extent of the disruption to Indigenous businesses.

The Indigenous Business COVID-19 Response Taskforce is conducting The Indigenous Business Survey to gather information to help advise the Government of Canada on policy decisions that directly impact Indigenous businesses.

Your participation is crucial. We know that you are asked to complete a lot of surveys and they are time-consuming. However, the Indigenous Business Survey is uniquely targeted, and its results could have a major impact on how government moves forward on new policies affecting your business.

Confidentiality

Your participation remains anonymous and your organization is not identified unless you indicate that you are willing to provide goods or services to Canada's medical supply chain. We would then share only your name and company contact information with the appropriate department.

Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF)

“Building on previously announced measures, the new Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) is being delivered by regional development agencies (RDAs) to help more businesses and organizations, including in the tourism sector, that are key to the regions and local economies.”

More details and direct links are below. This seems to be particularly geared to businesses that are more rural / remote than usual, but can support all businesses.

Minister Joly, Economic Development: $1B in emergency regional through six regional development agencies, intended to cushion the financial blow experienced by businesses that do not qualify for other aid programs. The RDAs are each steering their own program based on needs in their region.

NR for each RDA:

Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announces an expansion to the eligibility criteria for the Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) to include many owner-operated small businesses. This extended measure will help small businesses protect the jobs that Canadians rely on.

The changes to the CEBA will allow more Canadian small businesses to access interest free loans that will help cover operating costs during a period when revenues have been reduced, due to the pandemic.

The program will now be available to a greater number of businesses that are sole proprietors receiving income directly from their businesses, businesses that rely on contractors, and family-owned corporations that pay employees through dividends rather than payroll.

To qualify under the expanded eligibility criteria, applicants with payroll lower than $20,000 would need:

• a business operating account at a participating financial institution• a Canada Revenue Agency business number, and to have filed a 2018 or 2019 tax return.• eligible non-deferrable expenses between $40,000 and $1.5 million. Eligible non-deferrable expenses could include costs such as rent, property taxes, utilities, and insurance.

Canada Emergency Response Benefit

What is the Canada Emergency Response Benefit

If you have stopped working because of COVID-19, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) may provide you with temporary income support. The CERB provides $500 a week for up to 16 weeks.

Who is eligible

The benefit will be available to workers:

Residing in Canada, who are at least 15 years old;

Who have stopped working because of COVID-19 and have not voluntarily quit their job or are eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits;

Who had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application; and

Who are or expect to be without employment or self-employment income for at least 14 consecutive days in the initial four-week period. For subsequent benefit periods, they expect to have no employment or self-employment income.

How to apply

To deliver payments to Canadians in a fast and easy way, the CERB is being jointly delivered by Service Canada and the Canada Revenue Agency.

To begin the application process, please answer a few simple questions. The answers you provide will help us direct you to the service option that best fits your situation.

Industry, Science and Economic Development Canada has launched a “call to action” to Canadian manufacturers to help fight COVID-19. They have created a new web page as well as an intake for manufacturers that; make needed supplies, have the potential to rapidly re-tool existing facilities or equipment, or who have skilled workers that could be available to work elsewhere in Canada.For details please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/manufacturers-needed

The Government of Canada has created a website to help businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. You will find information to help you support your employees and get prepared, as well as information on international trade, business travel and events. Please visit Resources for Canadian Businesses – COVID-19: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-finance/economic-response-plan

First Nations Community Guide on Accessing Additional Supports

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is working closely with First Nation partners, the Public Health Agency of Canada, other departments such as Heath Canada, Public Safety as well as provincial and territorial counterparts to protect the health and safety of First Nations and support First Nations communities in responding to the public health crisis resulting from the novel COVID-19.